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My name isn't Colin Roberts and I don't have a trouser problem. My problem is much worse and my name is not important.

For the past 3 weeks I've not been sleeping for more than 5 sometimes 6 hours a night. At first it was down to a decadent lifestyle of drinking in hotel bars 'til sunrise then making it with seconds to spare to 10am meetings. Other times its been becuase of drunk girls calling me at 3am wanting to know if I wanna go for bagels. Now, however, it has become a cycle that I can't get out of.

Does anyone know any amazing solutions to this problem? Baring in mind I've managed to stay awake having taken sleeping pills in the past.

I mostly blame Richard Bransons Rogue Millionaire show. How awesome is that? But why is it on at 1am...?

Sean
p.s. i only expect nice-squirrel to respond to this as all my threads get ignored. true story.

sometimes of which I return.
I say grab the bottle and drink more.
Either that or grab some valarium tea (note - NOT VALIUM) which is a sleep aid... Don't drink any stimulants post 9pm nor eat post 9pm if you can help it.

Do not log onto DiS for nightshift as this will only stimulate the mind further

i dont need to be up 'til 9 to get to work for 10 yet i'll wake up at 6am and not be able to get back to sleep.
then when i goto bed i'll fall asleep straight away (still dressed usually) then wake up 10 minutes or later and not be able to get ot sleep for hours and hours...

I know it sounds a bit childish but prepare yourself for bed, you know brush your teeth/wash face, get undressed then listen to soothing music/read for 20 minutes in bed.

When you wake early can you not sleep because you're worried about stuff? try to repeat the word 'the' in your head it helps to cancel out other thoughts, most of which you won't be able to do anything about at 6 in the morning anyway.

Or if you really can't sleep get up, go for a walk/do something strenuous so you are tired and ready for bed at night.

but actually, I'm a bit rubbish on how to sleep more, as I've spent the last five years trying to train myself to sleep LESS. I used to need about 12 hours plus afternoon naps, and now I've got it down to a mere 6 and a half hours and am still able to function.

Do all the healthy stuff, try and make a routine where you go to bed early and read rather than going to bed in the early hours of the morning.

When I've got stuff on my mind I find it difficult to sleep, try and resolve things quickly. Or have a plan in place, like tomorrow I'll do this and that and then it'll be resolved, so that leaves you free to sleep.

well at least I bloody well hope so. Don't drink tea, coffee or green tea for at least a few hours before bed. Excercise is good as long as it's not too much, after all it causes an adrenalin rush. Have a warm/hot bath and then go straight to bed, bypassing checking your email or some website or another on the way. Keep your pc/laptop switched off if it's in the same room you sleep in. Watch absolute dross tv that you don't give a damn about before sleeping. Go to sleep with an album that you know really really well on loop (it's like a comfort blanket, I sleep better to Interpol than Sigur Ros even though it's rock). If you've been out on the lash lots don't ever expect to sleep; my worst insomnia has always been on Sunday nights when alcohol is still streaming through the veins. Generally: avoid any kind of mental stimulation for at least half an hour before bed. What crazylady says about having stuff on your mind is also a major thing. If all else fails, knock yourself out with night nurse or ask in a chinese medicine shop for some tablets (though they gave me freaky nightmares). Sleeping pills, in any form, are addictive, so avoid them. Good luck.